Air Force, Toledo ready to finally play; talk, preparation come to close

WASHINGTON - By the time the Military Bowl kicks off, it will be 32 days since Air Force's regular-season finale.
After weeks of practice and preparation, Christmas together on the road and a few days enjoying the sights in Washington, D.C., Air Force and Toledo are ready to finally play....

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WASHINGTON - By the time the Military Bowl kicks off, it will be 32 days since Air Force's regular-season finale.

After weeks of practice and preparation, Christmas together on the road and a few days enjoying the sights in Washington, D.C., Air Force and Toledo are ready to finally play.

+ captionAir Force coach Troy Calhoun Photo by THE GAZETTE FILE

"It's good that it's finally here," Toledo coach Matt Campbell before Tuesday's luncheon for both teams. "Anytime in bowl preparation you're anticipating getting to this event, and I think our kids are excited. It's due, we're ready to play."

Air Force is excited to continue the momentum from its late season streak, when it won four of its last five games to become bowl eligible.

"We've had really, really good practices and ultimately you train for these opportunities," Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said before the luncheon. "It's neat and difficult to earn a bowl bid, and we did. And yet, what's makes it most enjoyable is when you play well in a bowl game."

The game, to be held at historic RFK Stadium, is between two high-scoring teams and should feature a lot of points. Both teams seem motivated to play well and win. Toledo hasn't won a bowl game since 2005 and Air Force is looking to win its third bowl game in a row.

"Anytime you play in postseason football it's exciting," Campbell said. "One, you earned the right to be here. Two, you have the opportunity to finish what you've started."